Gil Scott-Heron is the artist that opened my teenage white-boy suburban eyes to what was really happening racially in the America of my youth. Using beat poetry, blues, jazz and everything in between he not only laid the groundwork for rap and hip-hop, but continued the truth telling of personal heroes like Lenny Bruce. I have played Gil at every radio station I've worked at and no one was happier than me when he emerged with "I'm New Here." This is not only a huge loss to the music world but yet another warning that it's best to steer clear of the hard stuff, and under no circumstances should you ever do a drug named after a part of your ass! Thank you for your art Gil, may you finally find some peace.

It was 32 years ago today that The Amazing Bolts played our very first gig. Corky and Hot Dog called to wish me a Happy Anniversary, Dodge was apparently taking a nap and soundman/mechanic/muse, the mysterious Teenage Eddie is laying low until Summer. We were quite a crew and still all get together occasionally to bash out some tunes, generally a bit slower than the old days. At the beginning of the year in Florida we assembled, practiced for an hour, wrote a new song and wound up doing three gigs in three nights. To this day we have bonds that will never be broken, are closer than most brothers and unbelievably are all still alive. I love you guys and can't wait for the next time we get to play!

Here's a taste of the band at the start, the source is a cassette from the live board mix.

I've been a fan since the album "Songs From Stamford Hill" by his band Wood and he just continues to get better. The new album is called 'Wake Up and Dream" and will be out in late June. Here's a track called "Step Into The Water"...

A great Brian Wilson song. Here's Dan Murphy, Gary Louris, Marc Perlman, Kraig Johnson and Jeff Tweedy live on Vin Scelsa's WNEW Idiot's Delight. I had brought them to meet Vin that night and a fine time was had by all. we put it out as a promotional only disc when I was at Rykodisc.

I have been very ill for the last week but everything is looking good now. Here's some random tunes, new and old worth checking out. We'll begin with one of my favorite new releases, the new effort from Low.

My Morning Jacket return with "Circuital"

Speaking of My Morning Jacket, this Jim James collaboration with Booker T. Jones is my absolute favorite new song!

I think this is their best song to date.

Robert Plant reminded me about this great old Small Faces track.

Sometimes I really need to hear a little Dino to brighten my day.

Finally, since I missed posting on Mother's Day, let's close with this tear-jerker.

I pulled this album out of the wall last week for Phoebe snow's version of "Shaky Ground" and wound up listening to the entire thing all the way through for the first time in many years. Once I got to Eddie and David Brigati doing "Groovin" I found myself in the middle of a full-blown Rascals bender.

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